Maryland Army National Guard

Maryland Army National Guard
Original: United States Army Institute of Heraldry and Vector: Sriveenkat · Public domain · source
Unit name	Maryland Army National Guard
Caption	Flag of the Maryland Army National Guard
Dates	1634–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Constitution
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	Militia
Role	State and federal missions
Garrison	Baltimore, Maryland
Motto	"Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine"

Maryland Army National Guard

The Maryland Army National Guard traces lineage to colonial militia formations organized in Province of Maryland and maintains dual state-federal responsibilities under the United States Constitution and the Militia Act of 1903, supporting civil authorities in Baltimore and deploying to conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the Global War on Terrorism. It operates alongside the Maryland Air National Guard and coordinates with the National Guard Bureau, the Department of Defense, and the Governor of Maryland for domestic emergency response and overseas operations. Personnel serve under state adjutant general authority or federal activation orders like Title 10 and Title 32.

History

The lineage begins with 17th-century militia units in the Province of Maryland, participating in conflicts including the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812 where militia forces defended Fort McHenry and influenced the composition of the Star-Spangled Banner. In the 19th century, units mobilized for the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War, with Marylanders serving in both Union and Confederate formations such as the 3rd Maryland Volunteer Infantry and the Maryland Line. Reorganization under the Militia Act of 1903 integrated the force into the modern National Guard of the United States, leading to World War I deployment in campaigns like the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and World War II service in theaters including the European Theater of Operations. Postwar Cold War missions involved civil defense coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and deployments to Korea and Vietnam support roles, culminating in significant mobilizations for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terrorism.

Organization and Structure

The state force falls under the Maryland Military Department with command exercised by the Adjutant General of Maryland and the Governor of Maryland for state missions, while federal mobilization is coordinated through the National Guard Bureau and the Secretary of Defense. Major subordinate headquarters include the 58th Troop Command, the 175th Infantry Regiment headquarters element, and aviation units aligned with the 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment for rotary-wing operations. Administrative support derives from the Maryland Defense Force and coordination with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency for domestic contingency response.

Roles and Missions

Primary missions encompass state emergency response for events like Hurricane Sandy, civil unrest incidents in Baltimore riots, and natural disasters coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency under Presidential disaster declarations. Federal missions include hemispheric security cooperation with United States Southern Command, multinational training with NATO partners such as United Kingdom Armed Forces and Canadian Armed Forces, and combat deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Additional roles involve counterdrug support with the Drug Enforcement Administration, continuity of government tasks with the Department of Homeland Security, and domestic consequence management with the U.S. Northern Command.

Units and Installations

Key units include the historic 175th Infantry Regiment, aviation squadrons operating from Martin State Airport, engineered and sustainment elements in the 104th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), and military police units assigned to regional security tasks. Installations and armories are located in Baltimore, Annapolis, Towson, Frederick, Maryland, Hagerstown, and Cumberland, Maryland, with training areas near Patterson Park Armory and ranges coordinated with Fort George G. Meade and the U.S. Army Reserve for joint operations.

Training and Readiness

Training is conducted at the Joint Force Headquarters and regional training centers adhering to standards from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Army National Guard Readiness Center, including annual training rotations, pre-deployment mobilization at Fort Hood, and professional military education through the United States Army War College and the National Guard Professional Education Center. Exercises include domestic consequence management drills with North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners and tactical rotations such as Combat Training Center rotations at National Training Center (Fort Irwin) and joint exercises with the United States Marine Corps.

Equipment and Capabilities

The force fields equipment aligned with U.S. Army inventories: small arms like the M4 carbine, crew-served weapons, M2 Browning heavy machine guns, armored vehicles such as the Stryker, engineering equipment, and rotary-wing aircraft including the UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook. Sustainment capabilities include logistics networks interoperable with the Defense Logistics Agency and medical assets coordinated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for casualty care and disaster medical response.

Awards and Notable Operations

Units and personnel have received commendations including the Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and individual awards such as the Bronze Star Medal for service in campaigns like the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Notable operations include defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, hurricane response during Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, and riot-control support during the 2015 Baltimore protests.

Category:Military units and formations in Maryland Category:United States Army National Guard units